Oh .... this is hard

Ok, I have been waiting a Vera Bradley Messenger bag or backpack forever but didn't want to pay $90 for them. On eBay they were even going for $70.

But today, I get an email saying they are clearance them out at $40! ARG! And they have my favorite pattern that is being discontinued!

Isn't this pathetic. I did everything to the payment page and then came here. Because I know I set out on this quest. With 13 days to go, I'm dying! You think it would be over - the urge - but no.

So I'm getting off of here and not purchasing it. But if it is still available at 12:01 on Sunday, July 25, it will be mine. Oh goodness gracious ...

$1/1 Dan-o-nino Yogurt - makes it free at Giant PA in State College

Hey all!

Print this coupon twice for twice the free yogurt! At State College, PA, Giant doubles $1 coupons and this is always $1.93 a pack!

Enjoy

click here

Stinks at Blogging but HASN'T GIVEN UP

So, its 8 days past by last post and I'm sure some have thought, "well she lasted a while - good try" BUT NO! I have done so good this week its about time I logged it!

Today is day 19 and I'm almost half way done. I'm glad but I have also enjoyed this adventure.

These past two weeks I have caught myself just getting what I need and walking out. That's hard for me as I love clearance bins and extra sale items. But sticking to my list helped alot.

I did go to the local grocery store that doubles $1 to see what I could get free that wasn't on my list and I did well. So well I was able to share my lot with a new friend!

And at first, I said I wasn't going to buy gifts for others. Well, I have but its been because I have extra money because I have been blessed. Because I stick to my list, shop the sales, plan only a week ahead instead of two, I'm able to really save money! Its GREAT!

So, day 19, I have $80 left in my wallet, a full fridge and pantry, and no plans :) This is a big accomplishment for me! I usually have $3 and think how I can get more cash. So, this has been good for me!

Day 11: Rough Weekend

On Friday, my hubby and I took the kids to see Toy Story 3. Havyn and I saw it already but we had free passes and the movie was that good to see it twice. During the week, Havyn found an old Jessie doll I bought at a yard sale a year ago and has been playing with her a lot. The dog chewed on Jessie along with wear and tear and dirt. So Rob wanted to go get her a new one. Well, I wasn't shopping but I'll go along and help pick her out! Well that got me in the spirit of things ...

On Saturday, I took the kids to the Centre Hall Yards Sales where deals where galore! I thought I was doing great - I didn't even spend $3.00 - but then I did set myself on a fast right?! Well, I broke it. I bought Havyn some books and Robby a little soccer toy. I didn't even think of it because it wasn't for me but for the kids (and it was only $3!!). But I need to reset here ...

My hubby suggested I restart. Good suggestion but I'm going to give this a grace period. So hopefully you will too. The big shopping day will be later this week. So I'm gearing up, focusing on purchasing items I will use for a stockpile, etc.

Day 8: Relearing how to shop!

So, on this quest of mine that I made myself do as I start to wonder why 40 days when all the clearance deals are coming out in July (thanks for letting me vent there), I need to teach myself to shop better.

I'm really good at spending all my money before the end of the month (that country song, To Much Month at the End of the Money, is my theme). So when these final days come, I find myself returning items for some extra cash or just swiping my debit card and hope my husband doesn't ask about that previous budgeted amount I went over on again.

Kara at www.practicalsaver.com recently sent out an email about my dilmea! Read on:

Andrea sent me several questions - one of here difficulties is meal planning. She plans for 2 weeks of meals at a time, but is finding herself out of money to go back and get the milk or items that she wants to stock up on during the next sale period.

Here is my opinion:

I have never been a fan of 2 week meal plans, for the same reason you described, you will still need more items as 'life happens' and you don't know if a better sale is coming in the next sale ads. I suggest making a 1 week meal plan. I do usually 4 days at a time. By the end of the 4 days, I will be needing milk or something, and that will allow me to possibly go to a different store to get what is on sale there.

We get paid every 2 weeks as well, once you get into the routine, it is quite simple to divide 1/2 your budget and spread it out. And don't worry if you spend over half one week, just don't leave it dry for the milk and extras you need to pick up.

PERFECT! I was planning on my HUGE shopping trip on Wednesday but I think I will just plan for a week and get what I need for up to 7 days!

So this is a start. But I just need to remember I don't have extra $$ to spend because I still have another week to go. So no Target or Country Stores ...

Week One OVER! 32 days to go!

Well, today is the official week mark. On Tuesday, I went to CVS and Rite Aid and spent less than $5 out of pocket so that rocked and have tons of store credit for next weeks sales.

Yesterday my kids and I went to the berry farm and they had the cutest country store (add to list of weaknesses: Target, country stores). I love all the decorations and cute sayings. Well, there were a ton of them. I walked through once and that's it. My friend Tammy and I will be back out in September so my plan is to shop then. But the old me (before a week ago), would have purchased the couple of items she saw and then would try to sneak those receipts into the checkbook log. But, I didn't. Am I proud? Yes. Am I happy? Not really - they were really cute and I know where I want them in my house! But this is the purpose of this journey - to learn more self control.

So, today I have nothing planned. Just a lazy day home with the kids. I do love being a stay at home mom and homemaker for this reason. I don't need to get dressed, be somewhere, and be gone from my kids all day. The SAHM and homemaker is a 24 hour job that I wish I could take a break from sometimes but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Day 3, 4, 5 - Not to bad ...

So eventually I had to go to the store to buy groceries and had to go to Target.

I went to talk with only 20 minutes to spare so this help me 'wondering' around. They didn't have Pampers Baby Wipes on sale for $1.97 so that was a no go. Went and got the juice boxes on sale and a box of candy for the theater (we saw Toy Story 3 - SO SO good).

Later that day I went grocery shopping. Sticking to my list until the items were completely free after coupons, went awesome! It was $50 before coupons, and only $25 out of pocket for groceries until 6/30. I went through my pantry and deep freezer to figure out meals so we can spend less this month.

So its going pretty good! I have a strong urge to go to the local grocery store that doubles $1 coupon to see what I can get free but I'll hold off. That is where I can get into trouble too. Getting alot of things for under $1 actually added up. So I would have a pantry full of stuff that I really didn't need and spent the money I just should have saved. I know $.10 toothpaste was only $.10 but when I can get it free - why pay it!

This is where I think to myself - I'll donate it! And then I donate so much, I don't donate wisely. Meaning - I spend cash on items that I didn't need to donate when I needed to hold onto the cash for other items. When I wouldn't hold onto the cash, I would be going to my hubby within 5 days of payday asking for money because we were out of food. So I wasn't shopping in a good way. That is why I'm on this fast and teaching myself to shop again.

I will continue to donate items but at this time, I'm going to watch what I spend and see how I can share without going hungry myself.